Lowery back in Martinsburg

Coach takes over Bulldog softball program

February 5, 2013

After seven successful seasons with the Martinsburg baseball team, a run that ended in 2011, Lowery is back with the Bulldogs, but in a different fashion.

Lowery will be taking his coaching duties from one field to another as he takes over as the Martinsburg softball coach.

Much like his decision to step down as the Bulldog baseball coach was family-related, his decision to coach softball was also partly family-related.

"One of the main reasons I wanted to coach is that my daughter is playing this year," Lowery said. "I really enjoyed my time at Martinsburg, so when the job came open, I talked to (Athletic Director Greg Reed) about it, and it worked out for me to be able to do it."

Lowery has a stellar history with the Bulldogs, which included leading the baseball program to a Class AAA state championship in 2009 and several sectional and regional titles. His 2011 team also won a school-record 30 wins.

However, this is a whole other ballgame, so to speak. First and foremost, softball is a completely different game.

"There's going to be a huge learning curve. It's a different game," Lowery said. "I've never coached softball, and I'm going to be learning how to coach young ladies. But I'm certainly willing to try and figure that out, and I'm going to do the best I can.

"The one thing I can do is make sure things are organized and make sure they learn how to compete. All the rest of it, I'm going to have to learn on the fly."

There's really nowhere to go but up for the softball program after finishing with just a few wins last season. Add the fact that a new coach is coming in, and the Bulldogs are really starting from the ground up.

"I don't know any of the players," Lowery said. "I know they've struggled, but I think I can turn the program around."

Adding to that challenge is the high level of softball talent in the area, with teams like Hedgesville, Musselman, Jefferson and Washington on the schedule several times during the season.

"I know that Musselman's a very competitive team, and really all the teams in the area are tough," Lowery said. "I got to see Jefferson and Washington play last year a couple times, so I know they're all pretty good. I know a little bit about it."

Lowery truly believes he can get the Bulldogs back on the winning track, and he's definitely up for the challenge.

"Winning like that, when you're constantly the underdog, is as much fun as when you're expected to win," Lowery said. "We'll just work hard and try our best. We'll just try to improve with each game and see what happens."